Shadows In Durango

Chapter 145

*****Vincent's POV*****

The room felt like it was closing in. My mind was spinning, my pulse pounding so hard I could barely hear anything except the thundering rush in my temples.

Frazier's command echoed through the space, his furious glare drilling into me like a predator ready to pounce. "Explain all of this. NOW!"

I could feel Sofia's gaze burning into me, desperate and terrified, her trembling body curling inwards as if she were trying to disappear into the chair. I looked at my father, waiting for him to speak, to salvage this, but his silence made it clear this mess was mine to attempt to clean up now as he too seemed at a loss for words!

I forced a breath out through gritted teeth. "You want the truth?" My voice came out sharper than I had intended, the words slicing through the tension like a blade. "Fine. I'll give you the goddamn fucking truth! I think that you're a bastard and that your sons are scumbags!"

Frazier's mouth fell slack as his eyes narrowed at the bluntness of my words.

I stepped around the table, every muscle in my body coiled tight as my temper began to break loose. "This deal this whole fucking arrangement — was a sham from the beginning, and you know it!" I gestured toward Sofia without looking at her, my fists clenching so hard that my nails dug into my palms. "You're furious because we tried to find a way around your pathetic marriage idea? So what if we did! But don't pretend that your hands are clean, Frazier. None of this has ever been about her — your own daughter - it's only about filling your fat fucking pockets with more power and cash, you don't give a shit about what happens to her!" I seethe, as her brothers square themselves up by their father's side for protection.

Humorous!

"Watch your fucking mouth with me, boy," Frazier snarled, leaning over the table like he was ready to leap across it.

"Watch my mouth with you? Why?! What the fuck are you going to do about it old man? You're a fucking waste of space at this point! The three of you are fools!" I snapped back, my anger boiling over. "You don't get to sit there and play father of the year. She's your daughter, and you've used her like a pawn for years an object to trade for power and for money. You didn't care who you sold her to, as long as you came out richer at the end of it! No wonder she ran away!" I

spit, as my father remains somewhat smug by my side.

"You can consider me your fucking revenge at this point because mark my words, I WILL RUIN YOU FOR HOW YOU'VE TREATED HER!" I fume, before grabbing the nearest chair, launching it across the table at the three of them, sending them scampering out of the way to avoid being hit.

I heard Sofia gasp softly, and for a moment, I almost turned to look at her. But I couldn't stop now. The room had erupted into a storm, one that I couldn't begin to contain... "You little fucking shit! Jay, get a goddamn grip of your son!" Frazier roars furiously, as I laugh at the flustered state he was entering.

"Vincent, calm down!" My mother is the first to shout at me instead, joining forces with Frazier, but with that, my father quickly grabs the side of her head and sends her tumbling back down on to the floor for the second time with a thud - enraged with how involved she had become in all of this.

"Do I need to cut out your fucking tongue woman?! You stupid bitch!" My father roars, placing himself on my defence which for the first time - I felt thankful for having him here.

"Enough of this!" Frazier demanded, slamming his fist against the table so hard that the wood creaked under him.

His face was red with fury, veins bulging in his neck. I saw the brothers exchange a quick, dark glance before they pushed their chests out defiantly.

to act like I'm the villain, fine. I'll wear it," I growled, my voice lowering as I met Frazier's deadly gaze. "But at

lunged around the table for me in defence of

me towards him as I stumbled into a couple of the chairs on the

Sofia's other brother had joined in, both of them now driving me back as I fought like a maniac to land

through the chaos which was enough to push me on during

that followed was unmistakable — the metallic snap of a gun

table as all eyes turned toward my father. He stood tall, his face carved from stone, his gun aimed directly at Frazier's sons who had previously been on me like

could handle

set this fire in the first place. "No! Stop - what are you doing, put the damn gun

out of this!" my father barked at her, his voice as cold

against their hold. "No! Vincent!" Her cry pierced through the chaos, and for a split

a step to move for her

out which caused for everyone to dive for cover - unsure

air, and my mother screamed again, covering her ears as she ducked down

my instincts kicking in as I shoved my hand beneath my jacket,

wild gaze saw what I was doing, before he lunged at me again, his hand reaching for

fired mine

my arm, the sound reverberating through my skull as Freddie staggered back, blood blossoming out across his chest. His eyes widened in shock before his knees buckled, his body crumpling on to the floor. "FUCK! No! Freddie!" Frazier's anguished roar filled

didn't wait

I grabbed the opening.

voice barked out at me over the chaos, sharp and demanding. "Vincent! Go! Get the hell out of here!

my chest heaving as

them!" His voice was steady, even as another shot rang out from behind me. "Get out of the country — head for the safe house! Do not look back, Vincent.

now, her cries hysterical as she clutched at her face

door by the men, and I felt

won't leave

stood back up to his feet with his own weapon pointed, and in that moment I knew that there was no more time

wide

darting for the door just as bullets shredded the air around me. My father had started firing again too, the sharp cracks of the gunshots nearly deafening me as I

the front door, my chest heaving, my mind spinning with everything that had just happened. Frazier's screams still echoed behind me, full of grief and rage, and I knew — I knew that I had

Freddie was dead.

I had killed him.